Rahane relishes special hundred

Ajinkya Rahane has finally arrived. The Mumbai batsman's talent and utility were never really in any doubt but a first Test match hundred means the world to a batsman, irrespective of all the accolades that might have preceded it.

On Saturday, Rahane put behind him the disappointment of missing out on a maiden ton against South Africa, when he was dismissed for 96 in the second Test in Durban, to raise three figures for the first time as an India cricketer, against a potent New Zealand attack. India were looking to press their advantage on the game and Rahane's heroics down the order allowed the hosts to push towards a rare overseas win.

Little wonder then, Rahane was "thrilled" after his 118 helped India to a massive 246-run first innings lead - it could well be the first of many to come. The petite right-handed batsman made his way to the Indian team on the back of some heavy scoring in the Ranji Trophy and has now cemented a spot, again thanks to sheer consistency.

Rahane got off to a disappointing start to his Test career, when he played an uncharacteristically rash shot against Australia on debut - but he is a far cry today from the nervous debutant of 2013.

"I don't know how to express my feelings. A Test hundred is always special, but I will remember this first hundred for a long time. It's a very special hundred for me, but Sunday is also a crucial day for us and hopefully the bowlers will do their job

"Initially when I went in to bat, I just wanted to take my time to settle down and just wanted to play my game. I was looking to do whatever I have been doing in domestic cricket and continue the same way. I am really happy that I got a hundred here," Rahane said after India took a strong hold of the second Test, finishing Day 2 with a 222-run lead after Zaheer Khan reduced the hosts to 24/1.

The disappointment in Durban had taught Rahane an important lesson - he decided not to worry about his hundred and realised it would come if he built his innings.

"In South Africa, when I got 96, I wanted to get that hundred because a first Test hundred is really special. I know how crucial four runs can be, because a hundred is a hundred. When you get out for 96, it still counts as a fifty.

"This time I wasn't thinking about my hundred and just wanted to play one ball at a time. I wanted to play in the present and not think about what is going to happen. I told Zaheer (Khan) to play his normal game and that I wasn't thinking of my hundred.

"I was trying to take as much strike as possible, play four-five deliveries and rotate strike off the last ball. That helped me because I was willing to back my ability and back my shots," said Rahane, who now looks set to play a crucial role for India down the order for years to come.

Rahane has been an all-round player and is equally effective in the T20 format, as he has been for Rajasthan in the Indian T20 League. He has obviously benefited from his close association and partnerships with Rahul Dravid in the T20 extravaganza and has also had the advantage of batting alongside Sachin Tendulkar in the Ranji Trophy and Rahane admits he has been privileged to watch and learn from the two masters.

"Rahul Dravid is my role model and I have been following him since childhood. I have played with him in the Indian team and with Rajasthan Royals, and so I really learnt a lot from him both on and off the field. I just want to thank Rahul bhai

"I also want to thank Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji because during his last two Test matches, he told me about my batting. He said, 'I have been following you, and your hard work and your fitness. Just be patient and wait for your chance.' Thanks to both of them," Rahane said after the day's play.

Rahane is certain to be one of India's most significant cricketers, with his feet firmly planted to the ground. Once he got to the magic figure, there were no wild celebrations, no over-the-top gestures and no hurling of obscenities to express his relief - all that followed was a gentle prayer of thanks and he was ready to face off again.